Crete Travel Guide

The largest of the Greek islands, Crete provides adventure and relaxation in equal measure. It’s a true Mediterranean paradise, with impeccable weather making it a fantastic year-round holiday destination. Its diverse landscape and the assortment of activities available mean everyone will find something suited to their taste.

If you’re looking for a slice of tranquillity, many areas of Crete are more than up to the task. With pristine beaches dotting the coastlines, you’ll have your choice of popular spots or less visited romantic hideaways. The water is clear and inviting, and you can even enjoy a cool and refreshing dip in the winter months! 

After you’ve spent your day soaking up sand and sea, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the many villages and towns of Crete. You’ll often feel as though you’ve stepped back in time as you leisurely stroll along the cobblestone streets, with blooming flowers and friendly tavernas welcoming you along the way. It’s a moment to appreciate authentic Greek life and culture.

While Crete is modern in many respects, there are many areas you’ll visit that still retain their old-world charm. In fact, more than the old-world charm is the ancient charm provided by the grand archaeology of the island. Crete is resplendent with ancient Minoan artefacts and structures, as well as informative and fascinating museums to tell you the storied history of this Greek island.

Equally stunning is Crete’s nature, with rolling hills of olive and palm trees, mountains and ravines, and of course, the captivating blue of the sea that surrounds it all. It's a nature lover’s dream destination, with hiking, cycling, and watersports readily available wherever you go. Our 8-Day Hiking and Yoga in Crete tour is a great way to explore Crete through movement.

Crete will provide you with a sense of magic and possibility, blending old and new, nature and luxury, and tops it all off with some of the finest Greek cuisines you’ll ever taste. It’s not to be missed, and you’ll surely find yourself returning time and time again to uncover new corners of the island.

Crete differs from other Greek islands in that it’s a year-round tourist destination. Due to its large size and population, visitors can expect Crete’s main cities to remain open and active, providing ample opportunity to explore and sightsee even during the offseason. 

If you’re a sun-seeker looking to enjoy a beach holiday, the best time to visit would be between June and September. Beach towns come alive during this time, with July and August proving the busiest and hottest of all the months. You can expect very little rain and hot, humid weather with average temperatures falling between 20ºC and 30ºC during this summer period. 

July and August are considered peak seasons for tourism, meaning you’ll face steeper costs and many crowds. Travelling during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn can help bring some respite from both heat and fellow travellers. 

Heading into October and November, you’ll experience cooler temperatures, though it will still be pleasantly warm, averaging between 14ºC and 20ºC. In October, you may still be able to swim! Crete has an overall temperate and mild climate, so autumn will still see plenty of sunshine, though rainfall increases during this time as well.

December through February is Cretan winter, and while grey skies are common, you’ll still be graced with some warm and sunny days. January is the coldest month, with temperatures generally falling between 0ºC and 10ºC, but in December and February, you can experience temperatures as high as 14ºC. It’s unlikely that you’ll see snow unless you’re in more mountainous areas, and you get the added bonus of fewer crowds at archaeological sites. Beach towns will be closed down during this time, but the main cities will still be lively and have plenty for you to see and do.

Things start to pick up more in springtime. The warm weather signals the opening of more shops and restaurants as visitors increasingly flock to the island. You’ll see temperatures between mid-teens to mid-twenties, with March experiencing the cooler end and more sunshine and heating coming with April and May.

Heraklion Archaelogical Museum

In the Heraklion region of Crete, you’ll find the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Regarded as one of the celebrated museums in all of Greece, and in fact, across Europe, this important museum is home to the greatest collection of Minoan artefacts worldwide. 

It’s here that you’ll explore and bear witness to the remains of an ancient culture, as well as pieces representing Crete’s prehistory and history across more than 5500 years. The museum houses a stunning collection, including the noteworthy Disk of Phaistos, presumed to date back to the second millennium BC and containing a mostly indecipherable code across its bronze surface. You’ll enjoy exploring the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and many other exciting archaeological and mythical sites during our 12-Day Percy Jackson Mythological Adventure trip.

Elafonisi Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches on Crete, and on all of the Greek islands really, is the striking Elafonisi Beach. This beach provides stunning scenery as well as some of the softest sand for lounging and the calmest water for swimming. 

You’ll feel like you stepped into a postcard as you step across the powdery sand that changes from bright white to its signature pink. Couple the perfect sand with the clear blue waters of the sea featuring shallow areas and long stretches of sandbanks, and you’ve got the perfect location for soaking up the sand and sea. 

The entrance to the beach has many amenities, including shop stalls and cafes, while further down, you’ll find a retreat from the crowds among the protected and pristine sand banks of the beach. A whole day is dedicated to this gorgeous beach during our 15-Day Highlights of Greece trip.

Spinalonga Island

Spinalonga Island is one of the most visited sites in Crete. While featuring ancient architecture from the 15th century, it’s the island's more recent history that it is most known for. 

This island fortress by the sea was ruled by the Venetians for centuries before falling to the Ottomans and eventually returning to Greece. In 1903, it became known worldwide as a leper colony when leprosy broke out, and those who were ill were made to isolate and live on this island.

Now uninhabited, Spinalonga can be visited, with its ancient paths and walls speaking to its dark history and offering a bit of an eerie feel amongst the natural surrounding beauty of the Mediterranean. It’s definitely an interesting and unique place to add to your Crete itinerary.

Knossos

In the Heraklion region, you’ll find the great site of Knossos. Known as the oldest city in Europe, this ancient Minoan Palace remains in fantastic condition for a structure many thousands of years old. Its colourful facade is just as striking, with vibrant colours making this archaeological site come alive. 

Once home to King Minos, who ordered the construction of this grand city, Knossos is also the mythical home to the Minotaur, the half-man, half-bull who roamed the maze-like labyrinth beneath the city. When visiting Crete, it’s a must-see site steeped in culture, history, and myth. It’s one of the highlights of our 15-Day Highlights of Greece trip.

Vai Beach

In the far eastern corner of Crete, you’ll find the picturesque Vai Beach. It’s a simple beach in the best way possible, drawing fewer crowds due to its more remote location. Instead of many shops and restaurants lining the shores, you’ll find rows upon rows of palm trees.

The name Vai actually comes from the Greek word for palms, and it’s a fitting name given that this beach is the site of the largest palm forest in Europe. It’s a stunning oasis along the Mediterranean, with a blue flag status in recognition of its calm, clear waters and high environmental standards.

Samaria Gorge

You don’t need to be a nature lover to appreciate the beauty that is Crete’s Samaria Gorge. You’ll experience one of the most beautiful hiking spots in all of Greece when you visit this wonder of nature. It’s there that you’ll encounter the Gates of Samaria Gorge, so named for its sheer rock faces that reach nearly a thousand feet into the sky with a mere 13-foot width across. 

You’ll also come across meadows of wildflowers and incredible mountain views as they tower high above you while you walk across the rocky terrain. The hike is only achievable during the spring and summertime, generally open from May to October, though it’s not a guarantee. Hiking the gorge is one of the top activities during our 8-Day West Crete Gorges trip, followed by a well-earned evening swim.

Bus 

Buses are the only method of public transport in Crete. It’s a safe and reliable option for hopping between cities and towns across the island, though services don't reach more remote areas or they’re highly limited. For transport between major destinations, buses are a reliable and relatively inexpensive choice.

Private Car

Renting your own car while on Crete is likely the best course of action to take. You can rent a car for less than 30 Euros per day, optimising your ability to get from place to place and allowing you to seek out worthwhile and less travelled locales. More remote areas will be home to less serviced and thinner roads, so be sure to take care and travel safely when driving yourself to those exciting remote hideaways.

If you’d like the accessibility of private car hire, but without the responsibility of needing to guide yourself around the island, speak to one of our Local Designers about hiring a private driver during your travels to Crete.

Taxi 

Taking a taxi is a great option when making your way within and between Crete’s towns and cities. Within city limits, you’ll face lower costs, while travel between locations and to more remote areas comes with a steeper fee due to a surcharge. 

Drivers should be using their taxi metres, though some routes have set fares. The cost can add up quickly, especially when using taxis between towns, so it’s not as highly recommended, especially on a regular basis.

With Crete being the largest of all the Greek islands, there is a lot of ground to cover when you visit. The island is home to four regions, with the capital city Heraklion located in central Crete. On the eastern side of the island is the region of Lasithi, and to the west, you’ll find Chania and Rethymno. The north coast of the island is where you’ll find the largest of Crete’s cities, with most of its inhabitants residing here.

Greece is one of the gastronomy capitals of the world. It’s renowned for its delicious flavours, with the Mediterranean diet viewed as one of the healthiest worldwide. Crete is no exception, putting its own spin on mainland flavours with its focus on simple and naturally derived ingredients. Our 8-Day Crete Gastronomy tour brings you to the heart of Cretan cuisine - you’ll even visit a winery, olive mill, and cheese maker!

Dakos

You’re bound to fall in love with this Cretan dish. Similar to Italian bruschetta, this meal consists of chopped fresh tomatoes mixed with a variety of herbs, cheese, and olive oil. Instead of bread, it’s placed on a slice of barley rusk called paximadi. The rusk is often soaked in olive oil, creating the perfect consistency for a soft crunch as you take each bite. 

Olive Oil

You haven’t appreciated olive oil until you’ve had the olive oil of Crete. This island produces some of the finest olive oil around and consumes more than anywhere else in the world. The warm and mild climate creates the perfect conditions for olives to grow and thrive, creating a smooth oil free from bitterness and with less acidity. 

Prepare to indulge in olive oil at likely every meal! And leave room in your luggage to take home this liquid gold.

Cretan Cheese

No matter where you go in Crete, you will find cheese on the menu. Hailing back to their high regard for simplicity in flavour and ingredients, the many cities and towns of Crete give great attention and care to the making of their signature cheeses.

Whether mild or strong, creamy or nutty, you’ll encounter a wide variety of flavour profiles as you explore Crete and try the many cheese variations along the way. They’re eaten on their own, baked into pies, or sprinkled atop dishes - basically, cheese is readily available and always served, so be sure to treat yourself.

Matala Beach Festival 

Every summer in the south of the Heraklion region, an ode to the lifestyle of the 1960s and 1970s occurs. Festival goers converge on the sandy shores of Matala Beach to celebrate music and art, paying tribute to the hippie past of the area. 

Thousands gather on the beach of this seaside town, enjoying the camaraderie and spectacle. There are live music performances from both local and international artists and many crafts and workshops to participate in. 

It’s a feel-good event, warmly welcoming all who go!

Wine Festival of Dafnes

This celebration of wine lasts for around two weeks in July of each year. Visitors and locals meet in Dafnes town square, enjoying wine and entertainment amidst the blissful summer weather.

The wine flows as freely as conversation, with live music performances and dances keeping things lively and entertaining. You’ll also see plenty of art displays featuring traditional Cretan creations. The town comes alive during this celebration of delicious and authentic Cretan wine, and it’s an event that’s not to be missed!

Currency

The currency used in Greece is the Euro. At the time of writing, $1 USD is equivalent to €0.96.
Have cash on hand as ATMs are few and far between, and card payments aren’t always available.

Visas

Greece follows the Schengen visa agreement. A Schengen visa is a short stay visa allowing visitors to enter the country for 90 days in any 180-day period. Depending on your citizenship, you may enter Greece freely without applying, while some citizenships require an application.

General

Pack comfy footwear and leave the high heels behind. It’s forbidden to wear high heels at archaeological sites due to the damage they’ve caused in the past!

Crete is the largest Greek island. You’ll want to set aside at least a few days to explore as much as you can.

We have a handy guide about all things Greece that you can check out here!

Crete is the perfect holiday destination for anyone. This large Greek island truly has something for everyone. From solo adventures to romantic rendezvous to family holidays and excursions with friends, Crete will check everything off of your list. Get lost in the natural beauty and history of this ancient place, and contact our Local Designers to begin creating your dream tour of Crete.